By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Rugby has officially confirmed that the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and All Blacks will be broadcast live on SABC on Saturday.
This comes after SuperSuport concluded a once-off agreement on Friday, giving the SABC the rights to broadcast the iconic rivalry at Ellis Park.
Supersport announced that the partnership was agreed in celebration of 30 years of democracy in the country.
In collaboration with SA Rugby and the Ministry of Sport, Arts & Culture and SuperSport, the concluded a once-off agreement to mark the landmark gives the SABC the rights to broadcast the iconic Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and the All Blacks on Saturday 31 August 2024.
“We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to SuperSport for collaborating with the SABC, which allows all South Africans to be a part of this historic event,” said Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union.
This partnership is a major milestone for our sport, showcasing the advances we’ve made over the last thirty years and reaffirming our dedication to promoting social unity.
“As we honour this tradition, we take pride in embracing our diversity as a strength, both in the game and within our organisation.”
SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha added: “Having had discussions with SARU and Minister Gayton McKenzie, we decided to join hands in celebration of 30 years of democracy. It is fitting that we have partnered with the SABC on this one particular occasion to bring this match to television viewers.
“This special match between the two great rugby-playing nations sits at the centre of the birth of democracy in our country, coupled to the fact that it is exactly 30 years ago that the Springboks and the All Blacks clashed for the first time in the post-election era; hence the broadcasting of this particular match by both SuperSport and the SABC in this once-off celebration.”
The SABC Group Chief Executive Officer, Nomsa Chabeli, concluded: “We are delighted that we have worked tirelessly to ensure that the larger part of the South African population experience the rugby euphoria this weekend.